The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-04-28

I y
and quiet the torture of a tender nerve confer an
everlasting blessing upon mankind, and enttle the
author Of so great benetlctor to the distinction OF
| an immortal crown of gratitude and honor.
These questions of sanitation and public health
becoming of vital Importance in this state Our
opulation has increased at rate unprecedented
even In America, ana our towns and cities are rap
| idly growing into prominence. These questions,
relating 10 sanitary refor and the protection OF
health from the stealthy encroachment of disease,
are everywhere being considered. There are now
certainly six, and possibly seven cities in Texas
| having population exceeding $1,000, a more
| than one with population of 10000. There are
but crude and imperfect sanitary provisions in any
of these citesbut they are all investigating and dis
cussing this question, and are earnestly seeking,
competent and intelligent advice and information
| The question is regarded as one or prime
necessity, not of local concern only,
but one affecting the ,, growth anu anu
charged with the administration of these matters
| in our municipal governments are without practi-
| cal knowledge or experience, and theY naturally
turn to the recognized sources of learning and in
formation of this question for aid and advice This
| subject comes within the scope OF your thought
and study. Its understanding is part OF your pro-
tession, Your knowledge and experience III you
for the consideration of this question as one ma
terial to our welfare as people. | am sure that
an expression of your views on these queeuone
would be thankfully accepted by those entrusted
would prove of much benefit to the
state. | mention this matter because OF my
appreciation of its Importance in the posluon |
have the honor to occupy, and not because l
would be 80 indecorous as to presume to dictate a
subject for your reconsideration L kaow tnat an
opinion from your body would be productive of
great good, and know that the accomplishment
Of such ends constitute your great aims and pur-
pose in life. venture to mention the subject aud
shall be more than pleased if your attention should
be arrested and turned in this direction.
The people who dwell on these surrounding hills
are vain enough to claim that this is the most
beautiful and desirable city in the state, and |
trnst that the gentlemen composing this most hon
ora6le and distinguished assembly will
take occasion, during their stay in our
midst, to satisfy themselves of the justice to both
of these claims. While we,who live here, have con-
troll of local affairs, and speak OF this as pre-
eminently city, yet realize the fact that this
is the capital, the pride of the great commonwealth
of Texas and that all her sons and daughters look
upon this city with pride as the capital of this
great empire of intelligence, freedom and liberty
trust your deliberations may prove successful;
that your coming among us may add to your en-
joyments and that the recollection of this meeting
in the apital of Texas may prove pleasing rest
ing place of memory in the years to come
Dr. Daniel next introduced Mr.. A. H..
Graham, who, on behalf of
THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN,
delivered the following eloquent address:
Mr.. President, Gentlemen:
To the visiting State Medical association | am
asked to extend welcome on behalf of the citizens
of Austin.
As you are already in possession by the act of
the mayor in delivering the keys and surrendering
the freedom of the city, it would scarcely seem
necessary that anything further should be done. l
presume, however, it is intended that l sEoald on
behalf of the citizens ratify and confirm the official
act OF surrender on the part Of our worthy chief
magistrate. To me it is most pleasing expert
ence to be the mouthpiece of the good people OF
Austin in conveying to you assurances of the most
hearty and cordial welcome. And yet, IN truth, no
formal welcome is necessary to make you feel at
home in Auetin. If there be aught within her
limits to make proud to be her citizens, we feel
that every Texan has right to share
our pride The very str. streets ., on
cent structure now being raised in our midst and
that meet our daily vision, the great institution
reared in public charity by benetcent state for
the benefit of her unfortunate children the various
state departments the four walls that now enclose
within which 50 recently the 6olons sat in solemn
judgment and visited condign punishment upon the
devoted head of one VINO had dared to hold them
up to ridcule, do not belong to AUSTIN but to Texas.
Daily contact with these visible evidences of state
interests in our city engenders spirit of state
pride that frowns upon all enviOus jealousies of
sister cities. This fact it is pleasing to reflect,
may be assigned as the reason, in large measure,
for that characteristic of Austin citizenship often
charged against it in reproach, namely: that she is
content to allow Dallas and Fort Worth, Houston
and Galveston and other towns to contend for first
place among Texas cities without entering the con
test herself.
Austin's patriotism is as broad as the limits of
this broad state, and embraces every city and town,
hamlet and plain that acknowledges the sover.
eighty of Texas 1t is stranger alike to the con-
tracted pride of village provncialism and the
narrow selfishness of local prejudces. Enthroned
upon eternal hills, unequaed for beauty of Sit.
uaton, unsurpassed in the generous hospitality of
her citizens, the capital city of an imperial do
main, feel that Austin belongs not to us, but to
Texans, and had she, like Thebes, of Homer sung,
an hundred gates, wide would her portals stand to
welcome you to her homes, her hearthstones, her
sanctfed places where the household gods preside.
Could we select from the mass of our fellow-cii-
zens body that it would give us most pleasure to
entertain our choice would be met and gratitied by
this occasion, for no body of men can be more en-
titled to the esteem and admiration of
and disngushed fasGy N none of the
learned professions or other vacations of life do
80 many occasions occur for self devoted heroism.
No trumpet tongued herald proclaim5 the sacri-
fees made quietly, without ostentation, and I'M
known to the world, they are daily offered; per
haps to some infected wretch some lowly pau
per whose heartfelt benson is the only acknOwl-
ment | have read of great epidemics in our popu-
lated cities, when the Angel of Death has come
down, and with an almost visible presence, welded
his scythe and garnered his harve5ts until had the
cleaners followed, no victim would have been
found remaining; and, through 1t all L have read
of the family physician, standing by his patient,
ministering to his needs and wants. soothing his
last hours, encouraging him with the bright prom
Use of hope hereafter; the cold waters rose about
him. and in that sublime self-forgetting sense of
duty, carelessly and serenely looked death in the
face.
Not stopping at this, have known of instances
when the physician leaving safety, home, friends
and all that made life dear to him, and from feel
ings of the purest philanthropy, Offering himself
victim to the Unsuitable monster death. There is a
courage higher than that which animates to deeds
of daring the field of battle; there ia heroism
greater than that which inspired the defenders of
ThermOpoln and the Alamo. The death rolls of
those, who rather than abandon their duties when
dangers threatened, quietly, and without the sus-
tanning Influence of surroundings, stood to their
posts and laid down their lives, is the gTandest
scroll upon which human name can be inscribed.
In laying this Door tribute OF admiration at your
feet scarcely refrain from entwining with it a
garland that, did occasion permit, fain would
wreathe for those others who have ever stood
with you and distinguished themselves in
this same field of heroism l mean
the priests of God and those black-robed, cross
engirdled ssterhoods that exist only to tighten
others woes and to sustain others burthens.
What eer their faith their deeds will make
| them angels.
An eloquent atheist has said: "Every cradle
| asks whence. every grave, whither?'' From the
evidence" to the "whither' it lie your mission to
walk by the side of weak humanity; from pulling
infancy to senile ageits comforter, its stay, its
staff to lean upon.
If it were given me to select the brow upon
which to place the richest crown in heavens cot
ters, could not imagine one more worthy to veal
1t than that of the grey-hared physician, who bent
with the weight of years, and spent with the toll OF
arduIuqs duties, we'll performed, turns with weary
step to lay himself upon his last couch to rect. AS
with clean hands and white sOn he awaits the call
OF an approving God, methinks ''the quiring OF
immortal harps and swan-like sigh of angel wings
might be heard, the spirits of patients gone be-
fore gather the banks of the beautiful stream 70
welcome him home.
But occasion does not permit that should con.